Street of Memory (1937)

[Music] the heart of a city street cars Autos hot and hard Pavements the rush and bustle of business hello what's this the silhouette for crucifix Al Vera Street here 150 years ago the city of Los Angeles was founded and known as ELO noena Ang meaning the town of Our Lady Queen of the angels and this original crucifix was erected when the pbla was established by order of King Carlos III of Spain populated with people in Mexican and Spanish costumes their shops adorned with gay awnings Al Vera Street throbs with the spirit of the past lacaita delicious aniles tortillos Colorados and tamales cooked while you wait served hot in more ways than one and strange to relate a dish called chili is the hottest Cactus all shapes all breeds transplanted in sand and small rocks and sold in bowls and pots of every description Cactus souvenirs brought direct from the desert have become quite a fad but be careful to keep your distance from the hot points the Pelican is the particular mascot here the first mascot was a live Pelican but he ate some of the cactus and that's the end of that story you may have the pottery that holds your Cactus painted to individual design no noisy Machinery here to spoil the pleasure of a day's work in creating attractive combinations a NeverEnding procession of different designs and sometimes the ashes from a Mexican cigarette are included in the paints but there is no extra charge for that aristocratic homes of yesterday they have become intriguing shock and Studios well- cared for patios with Shady trees are a part of each home here may be found cool recesses where one Retreats for a siesta behind walls that are 2 ft thick the riotous color of roses and gladiolas the fragrance of the gardinia m one cannot leave here without a floral souvenir the Indian Trading Post El Navajo old Saddles Indian drums crude chairs with cowhide seats arroe heads baskets blankets all here history is found at LOL andrina the oldest Brick House in Los Angeles yesterday it was a winery today well they serve delicious iced tea and marvelous Mexican meals there are many convenient benches where one may rest because the visitor who comes for an hour usually stays until midnight and again again we have history in 1818 Don Francisco Aila constructed this adobe house on what was then called Vine Street between 1927 and 1930 through the loyalty and civic pride of the descendants of the early settlers the Romantic colorful and picturesque glory of the past was restored and in this home Commander Robert field Stockton usn established his headquarters when America took possession of the town in [Music] 1847 the original interior decorations including most of the furniture remain intact theatro Torito devoted to marionet puppets where they portray the early history of California or the amusement of the children and for the entertainment and education of the tourists famous characters are represented and costumed correctly there is a Baloo before each show accompanied by the everpresent Mexican Orchestra and performances are given on the tiny stage in the old theater every afternoon and [Music] evening truly a the street of memories soft speaking olive skin guides language in business you buy or you don't buy what does it matter happiness is here when humming an old love song and he is lost without the inevitable guitar Beauty at every Booth if not in the article surely in the attendance sunbaked pots made from clay a very old art molded in cool cellers baked hard in the broiling Sun [Music] mhm further Charming proof of Mexican Fascination you may meet this little fellow with his Soulful eyes Manana but he's going now Boot blacks are not only on but literally under your feet one cannot use five shines but one may stir up a little activity with a handful of money and it's more fun for the kids than shining shoes and of course more [Music] profitable the courtesy of the past is maintained soft voices soft footsteps soft music The Busy World is forgotten around the corner they still live as they did yesterday all L strings are out families visit each other daily and here one hears the soft salutations of W de senorita W no seora and mo GRA seor mingling with the restful shadows and The Echoes of a Vista AO the Doby book shop and it's Proprietor in authentic costume here one stops to read and remains to admire why well look great granddaughter of a Spanish D her beauty makes one speechless a shrine it is that of Our Lady of wupi patron saint of Mexico the candle is always burning freshh flowers are all always present twice a day the offering of restful music is made and it is a pleasant pause in the annoying business of making a [Music] living ah here is a touch that crowns the effort to retain the oldtime atmosphere the Mexican flag waving over the Aila home from the original pole tourists come to spend an hour the hour lengthens into many the Shadows Fall and still they wander from stall to stall ever finding a reward for their curiosity no one leaves without a momento or souvenir of some sort useful or ornamental and who can say which is the envious one the Plaza that lifts its tired eyes to the modern admired City Hall of Los Angeles or the sunburned building that looks down on the peace and restfulness of this street of [Music] memory